Imagine a place where the spirit of the great outdoors meets the comfort of home cooking.
Welcome to Antlers Restaurant, where every meal is an adventure and every bite tells a story of Michigan’s rugged beauty.
Nestled in the heart of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Antlers Restaurant is not your average dining establishment.
It’s a culinary journey through the wilds of the Upper Peninsula, served up with a side of pure Michigan charm.
From the moment you approach the unassuming exterior, you know you’re in for something special.
The building, with its simple siding and stone foundation, doesn’t scream “gourmet destination.”
But that’s part of its charm. It’s like stumbling upon a secret cabin in the woods, only this one promises to fill your belly with deliciousness.
As you step inside, prepare for your jaw to drop faster than a lumberjack’s axe.
The interior is a veritable museum of the great outdoors, with every inch of wall and ceiling space adorned with… you guessed it, antlers!
But these aren’t just any antlers. Oh no, my friends.
These are the Picassos of the antler world, the crème de la crème of cervidae cranial accessories.
Massive moose antlers loom overhead, their impressive span making you wonder how the creature ever managed to navigate through the forest without getting stuck between two trees.
Elk antlers branch out in intricate patterns, like nature’s own chandeliers.
And deer antlers of every shape and size create a dizzying array that would make any hunter green with envy.
It’s as if someone decided to throw a party and invited every antler-bearing creature in the northern hemisphere.
And let me tell you, they all showed up!
But the decor doesn’t stop at antlers. Oh no, that would be too simple for Antlers Restaurant.
Taxidermied fish swim through the air, forever frozen in their last moment of glory.
Stuffed birds perch on branches, their glass eyes seeming to follow you as you make your way to your table.
It’s like dining in the world’s coziest natural history museum, where the exhibits come with a side of fries.
Speaking of tables, they’re sturdy wooden affairs that look like they could withstand a bear attack.
Which, given the decor, doesn’t seem entirely out of the realm of possibility.
The chairs are equally robust, ready to support even the heartiest of eaters after they’ve indulged in the restaurant’s generous portions.
And let’s talk about those portions, shall we?
Because at Antlers, they subscribe to the philosophy that if a little is good, more is better.
The menu is a carnivore’s dream, a love letter to protein that would make a vegetarian weep.
But fear not, leaf-lovers, there are options for you too. Just don’t be surprised if your salad comes with a side-eye from a mounted moose head.
One of the stars of the show is the Fresh Cut Ribeye Steak.
This isn’t just any steak, oh no. This is a hand-cut, char-grilled masterpiece that would make even the most dedicated vegetarian consider a career change.
Served with fried potato cups (because regular fries are for amateurs), steamed vegetables (to make you feel virtuous), and their signature Antler dipping sauce, it’s a meal that screams “Michigan” louder than a U.P. winter storm.
And at 14 oz for $29.99, it’s a deal that’ll make your wallet as happy as your taste buds.
But wait, there’s more! (I’ve always wanted to say that.)
For those who like their meals with a side of whimsy, there’s the Breakfast Burger.
Picture this: a quarter-pound burger, already a thing of beauty, perched atop a biscuit like a meaty crown.
But that’s not all, folks. It’s then topped with bacon, cheese, and an egg, all smothered in country gravy.
It’s breakfast, it’s lunch, it’s dinner – it’s the Swiss Army knife of burgers!
And at $17.99, it’s cheaper than therapy and probably just as effective at curing what ails you.
For the seafood lovers, the Cape Cod Poutine is a must-try.
It’s a delightful cultural mash-up that would make a Canadian fisherman weep with joy.
Hand-cut fries (because at Antlers, they hand-cut everything except maybe the napkins) are tossed with cheese curds and chowder, then crowned with beer-battered cod.
It’s like someone took a road trip from Quebec to Massachusetts and decided to commemorate the journey in food form.
At $17.99, it’s a steal for a dish that combines two of the greatest culinary inventions: poutine and fish and chips.
And let’s not forget the Green Goddess Salad for those who prefer their meals with a lower risk of cardiac event.
It’s a refreshing mix of American lettuce (because foreign lettuce just won’t do), topped with tomatoes, cucumbers, cheddar, and walnuts.
All served with a creamy herb dressing that’ll make you forget you’re eating something healthy.
And for just $13.99, you can add fire-roasted chicken thigh, because even salads deserve a little excitement.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “But what about the drinks? Surely a place called Antlers must have a impressive bar!”
Well, my thirsty friends, you’re in luck.
The bar at Antlers is a sight to behold, a wooden masterpiece that looks like it was carved from a single, massive tree trunk.
It’s the kind of bar that makes you want to saddle up (figuratively, of course – there are chairs) and stay a while.
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The drink menu is as robust as the decor, featuring a selection of local beers that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.
And if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you might even try their signature cocktail, the “Moose Juice.”
Now, I can’t tell you exactly what’s in it (trade secrets and all that), but I can say it packs a punch that’ll put some hair on your chest.
Or antlers on your head. Either way, proceed with caution.
But Antlers isn’t just about the food and drink. Oh no, it’s about the experience.
It’s about feeling like you’ve stepped into a different world, a world where the wilderness reigns supreme and every meal is an adventure.
The staff, dressed in flannel shirts that would make Paul Bunyan jealous, are as friendly as they come.
They’ll regale you with tales of local lore, point out particularly impressive antlers, and make sure your cup (or mug, or stein, or hollowed-out log) is never empty.
And if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the local wildlife through the windows.
Though, to be fair, it’s hard to tell sometimes if that moose you see is real or just another incredibly lifelike piece of taxidermy.
Now, I know what some of you might be thinking. “This all sounds great, but I’m not really the outdoorsy type. Will I fit in?”
Fear not, my urban-dwelling friends! Antlers welcomes all, whether you’re a seasoned hunter who can field dress a deer blindfolded or someone who thinks “roughing it” means a hotel without room service.
In fact, for city slickers, it’s like a crash course in Up North culture.
By the time you leave, you’ll be saying “ya betcha” and debating the merits of various flannel patterns like a true Yooper.
And let’s talk about the clientele for a moment, shall we?
It’s a delightful mix of locals who’ve been coming here since they were knee-high to a grasshopper, tourists looking for an authentic Michigan experience, and the occasional bewildered vegetarian who wandered in by mistake and is now questioning all their life choices.
But regardless of where you’re from or what brought you to Antlers, you’ll leave feeling like part of the family.
A slightly odd, antler-obsessed family, but a family nonetheless.
Now, I know some of you are probably wondering, “But is it family-friendly?”
And to that I say, absolutely! Kids love this place. It’s like a zoo, a restaurant, and a history lesson all rolled into one.
Where else can your little ones learn about local wildlife, practice their counting skills (try counting all the antlers, I dare you), and enjoy a delicious meal all at the same time?
It’s educational dining at its finest.
Just be prepared for some interesting questions on the drive home. “Mommy, why don’t we have any moose heads on our walls?”
But perhaps the best part about Antlers is how it captures the spirit of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
It’s rugged yet welcoming, wild yet comfortable, adventurous yet familiar.
It’s a place where you can have a gourmet meal while surrounded by enough taxidermy to fill a small natural history museum.
Where else can you say that? (Actually, don’t answer that. I’m sure there are other places, but let’s pretend this is unique, okay?)
In a world of cookie-cutter chain restaurants and trendy, Instagram-worthy eateries, Antlers stands out like a moose in a china shop.
It’s unapologetically itself, and that’s what makes it so special.
So, whether you’re a local looking for a hearty meal, a tourist seeking an authentic Michigan experience, or just someone who appreciates good food served in a setting that’s about as subtle as a bull moose during mating season, Antlers is the place for you.
Just remember to come hungry, leave your vegetarian friends at home (or don’t, their reactions could be entertaining), and prepare for a dining experience that’s as wild as the Michigan wilderness itself.
Oh, and one more thing – don’t forget to duck on your way out.
Those antlers are everywhere, and the last thing you want is to leave with an unintentional souvenir stuck to your head.
Although, come to think of it, that would be a pretty great story for your next dinner party.
For more information about this wild culinary adventure, visit The Antlers’ website and Facebook page.
And when you’re ready to embark on your own antler-filled journey, use this map to guide your way to this hidden gem in Sault Ste. Marie.
Where: 804 E Portage Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Remember, in Michigan, adventure isn’t just out there in the wilderness – sometimes it’s served up on a plate, surrounded by enough antlers to make you wonder if you’ve stumbled into a secret deer convention.